New Forest Bloodhounds relieved to escape trail hunting ban

Post published:December 26, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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Tristan PascoeDorset political reporterBBCNew Forest Bloodhounds' joint master Will Day met members in Brockenhurst for their Boxing Day meet As Boxing Day hunt meetings take place across the country, a Hampshire group said it is relieved to be excluded from plans to tighten the hunting ban.Labour introduced a ban on fox hunting 20 years ago and its 2024 manifesto included a pledge to extend the current legislation to include trail hunting. Earlier this week the government announced it…

Hundreds brave the sea for charity Christmas dip at Boscombe Pier

Post published:December 26, 2025
Post category:BBC Dorset
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Hundreds of hardy swimmers took to the sea for a charity Christmas dip on the coast that has raised about £20,000.About 1,200 people are thought to have safely taken part of the annual White Christmas Dip, which is held for Macmillan Caring Locally, at Boscombe Pier in Bournemouth, Dorset.The event began in 2008, when a family decided to wear fancy dress while joining a local swimming club's Christmas morning dip, and has since become one of the UK's…

King George VI Chase: Harry Redknapp’s The Jukebox Man wins photo-finish at Kempton Park

Post published:December 26, 2025
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The victory was worth £142,375 to Redknapp, who was trembling as he spoke to ITV Racing moments after his winner was confirmed."It is a dream, to have a horse that good is unbelievable," he said. "I love the game that much."To come here on King George day and just run made me so proud, but to have the winner is special."I am so lucky. It is right up there. I love the racing and the game, the people…

Tajikistan-Taliban border clashes: What’s behind them, why it affects China | Explainer News

Post published:December 26, 2025
Post category:Al Jazeera
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Tensions are flaring along the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border in Central Asia with the Tajik government reporting multiple armed incursions this month, straining its fragile relationship with Afghanistan’s Taliban leaders.More than a dozen people have been killed in attacks by men whom Tajik authorities call “terrorists” and the resulting clashes with Tajik forces, officials in Dushanbe and Beijing said. Victims include Chinese nationals working in remote areas of the mountainous former Soviet republic.In the latest fighting this week, at least…

Brendan Galloway: Plymouth Argyle’s Zimbabwe defender makes Afcon debut

Post published:December 26, 2025
Post category:Devon News
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Plymouth Argyle defender Brendan Galloway made his Africa Cup of Nations debut in Zimbabwe's 1-1 draw with Angola in Morocco. The 29-year-old came on as a 37th-minute substitute for the injured Teenage Hadebe in the Group B fixture in Marrakesh. Having gone a goal down before Galloway was introduced, Zimbabwe equalised deep in first-half stoppage time through Knowledge Musona.Zimbabwe had chances to win the game after the break, but were grateful to Galloway as they secured their first…

Len Ikitau: Exeter Chiefs’ Australia centre out for three months with shoulder injury

Post published:December 26, 2025
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Ikitau has made five appearances for Exeter in the Prem and European Challenge Cup, scoring his first try in the win over South African side Cheetahs earlier this month. "The good news is that we can get him in for the operation pretty quickly, though unfortunately it does mean he will miss the block of games over the festive period and into the cup competitions in the new year," Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter told the club…

RSF says Sudan’s army launches air strikes on paramilitary stronghold Nyala | Sudan war News

Post published:December 26, 2025
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Drone attacks hit fuel market in city that serves as headquarters for RSF’s alternative government.Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group says the country’s army struck a fuel market in the city of Nyala, the RSF’s administrative capital, as part of an intensified aerial campaign against its positions in South Darfur.For three consecutive days ending Thursday, military drones and warplanes pounded strategic RSF sites across Nyala, including the international airport, military positions and training facilities.Recommended Stories list of…

Cornwall police bus patrols to combat “predatory behaviour”

Post published:December 26, 2025
Post category:BBC Cornwall
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Plain clothes police officers are to be stationed on buses in the new year to help tackle anti-social behaviour.Patrols will be carried out in south east Cornwall, with officers on the lookout for passengers who make others uncomfortable with repeat or unwanted attention, or who are acting drunk and disorderly.Similar operations have been carried out in Saltash, Looe, and Torpoint. Devon and Cornwall Police said previous patrols had been "very positive" but that it was aware "predatory or…

Hedgehog rescue centre. Prickles and Paws, nearing completition

Post published:December 26, 2025
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A purpose-built hedgehog rescue centre costing £290,000 is nearing completion, bosses say.Hedgehogs rescued by the Prickles and Paws charity, in Cornwall, have been cared for in the back garden of founder Diane South.But a fundraiser, which has been match-funded, has meant a dedicated rescue centre on a plot of land at Carnanton, near Newquay, is being built. Charity co-founder and rescue director Katy South said: "The new 'hogspital', which is in the final stages of construction, will substantially…

More than 2,000 fines for Blue Badge misuse, reports finds

Post published:December 26, 2025
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Alison StephensonLocal Democracy Reporting ServiceBBCA Freedom of Information request revealed more than 2,000 fines were issued More than 2,000 fines have been issued to drivers parking in disabled bays without a valid blue badge since 2019, new data has revealed. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to Plymouth City Council revealed 2,637 fines were issued between 2019 and 2024 for misuse of disabled parking spaces.The FOI request, submitted by automotive retailers Evans Halshaw, said drivers were fined £70…

New surgery facilities planned at Exeter hospital

Post published:December 26, 2025
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A new day surgery centre for children and adults is planned in an expansion of a city centre hospital.New operating theatres and recovery areas could be built at the site in the Heavitree area of Exeter, which is part of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E).A planning application has been made for the site with buildings which will overlook the neighbouring Waitrose store.The RD&E said it had secured a £20m commitment from NHS England to create a…

Taunton Town Football Club move a ‘no brainer’ says Gary Johnson

Post published:December 26, 2025
Post category:BBC Somerset
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The new manager of Taunton Town Football Club has described his move to the club as a "no brainer".With more than 30 years of managerial experience, Gary Johnson has previously led both Yeovil Town and Bristol City to promotion, and has won league titles at both Cheltenham Town and Torquay United.The news about his new role was made public on 23 December.Living nearby, he told the BBC the move was a "no brainer" and that he was "really…